Mercedes unveils the W08

Mercedes F1 is the 5th stable after Williams, Sauber, Renault and Force India to present its F1 for the 2017 season marked by new regulations. This year's single-seaters notably generate more downforce and have wider tires than their predecessors.

Action of Lewis Hamilton in the new Mercedes W08 at Silverstone just now @LewisHamilton @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/FTVOeMY42q

— SUTTON IMAGES (@suttonimages) 23th February 2017

The star manufacturer does not seem to have decided on the final lines of the new Flèche d'Argent. The reigning world champion team is in fact testing an engine cover with and without a shark's edge, a shape adopted by the other teams which have already presented their car, during the shakedown carried out this Thursday February 23 at Silverstone.

Lewis Hamilton in action in the Mercedes AMG F1 W08 at Silverstone circuit#F1 #MercedesW08 # MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/4nlGnvH9nE

— SUTTON IMAGES (@suttonimages) 23th February 2017

“It is the most detailed single-seater in the history of F1, commented Lewis Hamilton. The first laps were complicated because it's very windy today at Silverstone, but I could already notice that it has an incredible level of grip. We have to stay slow since it's not a real testing day, but the conditions are too harsh to really enjoy it anyway. »

“I am very moved to drive a Mercedes for the first time, added Valtteri Bottas. The car seems to perform really well. It looks very smooth and at the same time very detailed. I can only be confident in the development of the single-seater. »

“We are already very satisfied to have completed these first laps without encountering any problems, recognised Toto wolff, the executive chairman of Mercedes Motorsport. The balance is difficult to find between the development of the W07 and that of the W08, but the team has accomplished its mission. We are starting from scratch after the last few years where we have shone, it's a new stage in F1. We were all impressed when we saw the car for the first time. »

Technical detail images of the new Mercedes AMG F1 launching & testing at Silverstone circuit today #Mercedes # MercedesAMGF1 #MercedesW08 pic.twitter.com/BwkuuTIM4K

— SUTTON IMAGES (@suttonimages) 23th February 2017

Mercedes F1 is at a turning point with its W08. The new regulations could indeed shake up the hierarchy, after 3 seasons of domination by the Silver Arrows, and the replacement of Nico Rosberg by Valtteri Bottas is also an important new element.